Gas removing device



@htowaq ,m Aw V141 W. W. BROUSSARD GAS REMOVING DEVICE Filed March 27, 1947 June 12, 1951 explosive. carrying oil, gasoline or other volatile and inflam- Patentecl June 12, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GAS REMOVING DEVICE William W. Broussard, New Orleans, La.

Application March 27, 1947', Serial No. 737,462

(Cl. 230 l03) 8 Claims.

This invention relates to a method andmeans for ventilating enclosed-spaces and more particularly to the ventilation of. the holds of ships.

While the inventionis specifically described as applied to the ventilation of the holds of cargo vessels, it will beunderstood that the method and means employed is intended to be used in connection with any kind of enclosed space from the holds of ships and, barges, and particularly the pump rooms. thereof, frequently-become filled with noxious gases. andvapors which render the same unsafe to enter not only because of the 'toxic nature of the atmosphere therein, but also because such products are frequently dangerously This, is particularly true of tankers mable products; which remain as residues in crevices of they structure, and as thin films on thewalls, or entrapped. in rust and scale deposits,

and. must, be evaporated .and carried away by long continued ventilation, before such spaces can be entered with comfort and safety.

Heretofore. it has'been customary to remove such. products by means of centrifugal blowers or disc-type. exhaust. fans, utilizing ventilator ducts of well known construction consisting of a. vertical riser pipe extending through the deck of the shipv and. provided above deck with an elbow and a funnel; The riser pipe frequently of telescopic construction and is arranged to rotate so that the funnel can be turned in any direction to face. the. wind to conduct the same down into the hold of thevessel, thus displacing the foul air.

The present invention provides a method and means for ventilating enclosed spaces of thekind described utilizing ventilator ducts already present, and adapted to remove the foul. air through such ducts by creating a sub-atmospheric pressure in the hold and returning the pressure to normal by the passage-of freshair through other in. a minimum of time, utilizing the facilities such: as steam or air pressure usually provided on such vessels.

The invention comprises the method of ventilating an enclosed space by producing a sub- 2. atmospheric pressuretherein by moving a column of airoutwardly therefrom, and relieving the sub-atmospheric pressure in the space; while continuously moving the. column of air outwardly. The method is accomplished by the use of draftinducing apparatus introduced into a ventilating duct of the kinddescribed,comprising a plurality of outwardly directed nozzles supported in the duct. at equal; intervals; about, the longitudinal axis, and spaced from the wall of the same. whereby pressure fluidfrom. the nozzles, forms a substantially uniformly outwardly moving col.- umn in said duct.

The invention. will bestbe understood from the following description, constituting a specification of the same, taken.- in. connection with; the annexed drawing wherein:

' Figure 1 is aside elevationalv view of one unit of the ventilating apparatus, as appliedv to the hold'of ashipor similar'enclosed space, illustratthe invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary View of a ventilating duct with thenozzles ofthe ventilating apparatus in position therein, showing the manner inwhich the apparatus is supported and centered'in the duct, and

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of theventilating apparatus takenalong the' line- 3-3- of Fig; 2 looking in the direction indicatedby the arrows.

Referring to the drawing in greater detail, the ventilating apparatus is shown as applied toan enclosed-space,- such' as the'holdof a cargo vessel, defined by a deck or upper walll and a hull or bottom wall 2; A ventilating duct 3- passes through an opening-'4 in-the duck l, and extends vertically downwardly withinthe storage space or hold, terminating above-the-hull 2-. The duct 3is openat its lower end 5" and is provided with an elbow 6 ending in an open funnel T above the deck I-.

Any number of'such ventilating ducts, as described above, may be-arranged" at suitably spaced .and the bottom 2, and the length of the outwardly moving fluid column.

In order tobring, about. an outward flow of foul air from the'enclosure through the duct 3, draft.-

inducing mechanism, such as a plurality of nozzles l attached to one end of a rigid tube H, is positioned in the duct above the open end of the same. The tube II is closed at its lower end I2, and the nozzles H! are threaded laterally through the wall of the tube near the closed end, as indicated at 14 in Figures 2 and 3. The upper end of the tube II is provided with a suitable coupling member l5 for connection to one end of a hose 56, leading upwardly through the duct 3 and out through the elbow 6 and funnel i for connection at its upper end to a valve l8 on a pressure fluid supply pipe l3.

Any number of nozzles 10 may be provided, three such nozzles being shown in the drawings positioned at equal intervals about the circumference of the tube l l, extending laterally therefrom, and bent upwardly, so that jets of pressure fluid from the nozzles are directed upwardly within the duct 3.

A spacing arm 20 is adjustably attached to the laterally extending portion of each of the nozzles [0 by suitable clamps 22. Similar spacing arms 24 are attached by clamps 25 to rods 26 projecting from the coupling I5 at the upper end of the tube II. All of the spacing arms carry flanges 23 at their outer ends which are adapted to engage the interior of the duct 3 to maintain the tube II and nozzles ID in centered relation within the duct.

The draft-inducing mechanism described above is supported in position about the open end 5 of the duct 3 by a rod 28 threaded at its upper end into the closed end 12 of the tube H, and attached at its lower end to a flange 29 which rests upon the hull or bottom 2 of the enclosure.

An eyelet 30 is attached to the coupling for the connection of a rope 32 or the like extending upwardly through the duct and out of the funnel I for raising and lowering the draft-inducing mechanism. Handles 34 and 35 may be secured to the tube ii in any suitable manner.

In installing the ventilating apparatus one or more of the draft-inducing mechanisms is inserted in a corresponding number of ducts, and other ducts or suitable openings provided are used to admit fresh air to the enclosure. The tube l l and nozzles 10 can be raised by means of the rope 32, and the hose l6 coupled on to the open end of the tube ll, after which the mechanism is lowered until the flange 29 rests on the bottom 2.

In this manner the nozzles are maintained above the opening 5 in the duct and in centered relation to the wall of the same.

When the pressure fluid is turned on by opening valve [8 the jets of fluid leaving the nozzles substantially fill the duct above the nozzles, thus forming an outflowing column of relatively high velocity and sucking the foul air out through the duct. The pressure in the portion of the duct between the nozzles 10 and the outlet l is increased and the pressure in the portion between the inlet end 5 and the nozzles is reduced due to the flow of fluid through the outlet, reducing the pressure at the outlet 5 and causing a flow of air through the duct. The outflowing air leaves a sub-atmospheric pressure within the enclosure which is relieved by an inflow of fresh air through appropriate openings, thus quickly ventilating the enclosure.

By adjusting the space between the opening 5 and the bottom 2, and controlling the pressure of the fluid, from the nozzles H the velocity and length of the outwardly moving fluid column can be regulated to suit the needs of the particular space to be ventilated. The draft-inducing mechanism can also be applied to ducts of widely difierent diameters by adjusting the lengths of the spacing arms 20 and 24.

While the herein described method and apparatus may be used to quickly and effectively remove various kinds of vapors from enclosed spaces, it is primarily adapted for removal of hydrocarbon vapors such as gasoline, or the like, from various compartments of transportation tankers so that the workers on a ship may enter the compartments a short time after the volatile gas or fluid has been removed. For example, it has been found that it is possible to remove toxic volatile or similar fluids from a space of approximately 6000 cubic feet in less than one-half hour when using a 12-inch duct, inch nozzles and compressed air having a pressure of 50 lbs. per square inch. The compartment from which the toxic fluids were removed was about 25 feet wide, 20 feet long and 12 feet deep, and utilizing the above set-up the toxic vapors were removed from the compartment without discomfort, and even arc and flame welding operations may be safely conducted within the compartment within onehalf hour of operation of the apparatus herein described.

While the volume of the compartment above set forth measures about 6000 cubic feet, this does not mean that only 200 cubic feet per minute of toxic vapors are removed by the apparatus for the present invention. The total volume of air evacuated from the compartment by this arrangement is probably in excess of 1000 cubic feet per minute, as air or vapors in the compartment is probably changed ten or more times during the evacuation, there being residues of pockets of liquid gasoline together with thin films of gasoline vapor in nooks and crevices, as well as the vapor that is absorbed by the walls of the compartment and entrapped in rust and scale in the compartment, all of which should be evacuated before the compartment is comfortable for habitation b individuals and well outside of the inflammable range of combustible vapors.

It is to be noted that the outlet end I of the duct 3 is funnel-shaped and as the gases issue therefrom the velocities of the gases are reduced.

The present invention has the following advantages: There are no electrical elements present which generate an electrical discharge producing a fire hazard; the materials of the apparatus can be fabricated from corrosion-resisting materials whereby toxic and corrosive gases, vapors or mists may be removed from the compartment containing them without deterioration of the apparatus.

In accordance with the present invention there has been provided a method of ventilating an enclosed space which comprises providing a duct in said space terminating in an inlet opening in spaced relation to a wall of said space and having an outlet outside said space forming an outwardly moving column of pressure fluid in said duct and admitting air to said space at a point remote from said inlet opening.

From an apparatus standpoint there has been provided an apparatus for ventilating an enclosed space comprising a duct and an outlet outside said space and an inlet in said space in spaced relation to a wall thereof, a nozzle in the passage of said duct directed towards the outlet of the duct and opening in a wall limiting said space remote from said outlet. In the more specific form. the apparatus comprising a ventilating arm-sec simple design and rugged structure, havingno moving parts in operation, and: capable, of a wide range of application andadjustment to particular conditions-and. circumstances of: use. It will of coursebe understood? that the. above described embodiment of. the: invention is. intended for purposes of. illustrationonly, and that many changes. can be made in the construction and arrangement of. the-various. parts without departing from. the spiritofi the inventiorror the scope of the appendedclaims, 7

While compressed air has been set forth as the preferred motivating fluid, it'is; of course, within the province of the present invention to use equivalent gases, as for example, inert, gases typified by nitrogen. The motivating fluid may also be steam.

Having thus clearly shown and described the invention, what is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a gas removing device, an exhaust duct open at both ends to provide an inlet and an outlet, a tubular member within said duct intermediate the ends of said duct, said tubular member having a closed end at the end of the member near the inlet. end of the duct, a plurality of pipes extending radially from said tubular member adjacent its closed end and having end portions projecting upwardly toward the outlet end of said duct, spacing means attached to the radial portions of said pipes and having means bearing against the inner face of said duct, and a fluid pressure supply line extending through the outward end of said duct and connected to the end of said tubular member near the outlet of the duct.

2. In a gas removing device, an exhaust duct open at both ends to provide an inlet and an outlet, a tubular member Within said duct intermediate the ends of said duct, said tubular member having a closed end at the end of the member near the inlet end of the duct, a plurality of pipes extending radially from said tubular member adjacent its closed end and having end portions projecting upwardly toward the outlet end of said duct, spacing means for attachment to the radial portions of said pipes and having means bearing against the inner face of said duct, means for adjustably securing said spacing means on the radial portions of said pipes, and a fluid pressure supply line extending through the outlet end of said duct and connected to the end of said tubular member near the outlet of the duct.

3. In a gas removing device, an exhaust duct open at both ends to provide an inlet and an outlet, a tubular member Within said duct intermediate the ends of said duct, said tubular member having a closed end at the end of the member near the inlet end of the duct, a plurality of pipes extending radially from said tubular member adjacent its closed end and having end portions inclined toward the outlet end of said duct, rods attached to the radial portions of said pipes and having means bearing against the inner face "of said duct, and a fluid: pressure supply-line ex tending through the outlet endtof said duct and connected to the end of said tubular member near the outlet of the duct;

4.. In a gas removing device, an: exhaust duct open at both ends to provide an inlet. and. an outlet, tubular member within said. ductintermediate the ends of said duct, said tubular member having: a closed end. at the end of: the member near the inlet end of" the duct, a plurality of pipes extending radiallyv from said tubular memberadjacent its closed end and having end. por tions projecting upwardly toward the outlet end of said duct, rods for attachmentv to the radial portionsof said pipes and having means bear ing against the inner face of said duct, clamps adjustably securing-said rods on the radial-portions of said pipes, anda fluid pressure supply line extending through the outlet end of said duct nd connected to the end of saidtubular member-near the outlet of the duct.

- 5. In a gas removing device,- an exhaust. duct open at both ends to: provide an inletand an outlet, a-- tubular member Within said. duct in:- termediate the ends of said duct. said tubular member having a closed end at the end of the member near the inlet end of the duct, a plurality of pipes extending radially from said tubular member adjacent its closed end and having end portions projecting upwardly toward the outlet end of said duct, rods attached to the radial portions of said pipes and having means bearing against the inner face of said duct, a collar surrounding the end of the tubular member near the duct outlet, extensible rods radiating from said collar and having end members engaging the inner surface of said duct, means to secure said rods in extended position, and a fluid supply line extending through the outlet end of said duct and connected to the end of said tubular member near the outlet of the duct.

6. In a gas removing device, an exhaust duct open at both ends to provide an inlet and an outlet, a tubular member within said duct intermediate the ends of said duct, said tubular member having a closed end at the end of the member near the inlet end of the duct, a plurality of pipes extending radially from said tubular member adjacent its closed end and having end portions inclined toward the outlet end of said duct, rods for attachment to the radial portions of said pipes and having means bearing against the inner face of said duct, clamps adjustably securing said rods on the radial portions of said pipes, a collar surrounding the end of the tubular member near the duct outlet, extensible rods radiating from said collar and having end members engaging the inner surface of said duct, means to secure said rods in extended position, a fluid pressure supply line extending through theoutlet end of said duct and connected to the end of said tubular member near the outlet of the duct.

'7. In a gas removing device, an exhaust duct open at both ends to provide an inlet and an outlet, a tubular member within said duct intermediate the ends of said duct, said tubular member having a closed end at the end of the member near the inlet end of the duct, a plurality of pipes extending radially from said tubular member adjacent its closed end and having end portions inclined toward the outlet end of said duct, rods for attachment to the radial portions of said pipes and having means bearing against the inner face of said duct, a fluid pressure supply line extending through the outlet end of said duct and connected to the end of said tubular member near the outlet of the duct, a collar surrounding the end of the tubular member near the duct outlet, extensible rods radiating from said collar and having end members engaging the inner surface of said duct, and means to secure said rods in extended position.

8. In a gas removing device, an exhaust duct open at both ends to provide an inlet and an outlet, a tubular member within said duct intermediate the ends of said duct, said tubular member having a closed end at the end of the member near the inlet end of the duct, a plurality of pipes extending radially from said tubular memthe inner face of said duct, clamps adjustably securing said rods on the radial portions of said pipes, a fluid pressure supply line extending through the outlet end of said duct and connected to the end of said tubular member near the outlet of the duct, a collar surrounding the end of the tubular member near the duct outlet, ex-

tensible' rods radiating from said collar and having end members engaging the inner surface of said duct, and means to secure said rods in extended position.

WILLIAM W. BR-OUSSARD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 296,634 Sellwood Apr. 8, 1884 330,177 Walsh Nov. 10, 1885 453,831 Earle June 9, 1891 776,847 Kelley Dec. 6, 1904 1,151,259 Fischer Aug. 24, 1915 1,167,708 Milner Jan. 11, 1916 1,679,678 Mulder et a1 Aug. 7, 1928 1,922,070 Anderson Aug. 15, 1933 2,225,412 Ferling Dec. 17, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 487,7 34 France Apr. 29, 1918 511,279 France Sept. 22, 1920 

